How to Write a News Article

Task: Write a newspaper article that reports the facts associated with
your selected folktale.


Style: You will be writing in a different style than you are used to in
class. Newspaper articles generally contain sentences and
paragraphs that are short and direct. Most paragraphs in news
articles contain a maximum of three sentences.


Format: Newspaper articles should contain the following items:

· Headline – An attention getting phrase at the top of the article.

· Byline – By, your name.

· Lead Paragraph – Start with a strong, interesting sentence to get the
reader engaged. Include the who, what, when, where, why, and how
as appropriate.

· Explanation and Amplification – This section will include several brief
paragraphs explaining the detail surrounding your photograph.

· Background Information – This section will include several brief
paragraphs explaining events leading up to the picture, related
national stories, etc.


Bias: Newspaper articles should be written without bias. In other
words, you should report the facts objectively – don’t give
opinions in your news article.



Adapted from: Sebrank, Patrick, Verne Meyer, and Dave Kemper. Write Source 2000.
Wilmington: MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995.